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A success story

donnat

Veteran

Miss Mary's post today, has prompted me to ask; What was your first purchase, after joining YFL, that you spent more money on than you were comfortable with? Was it a succes? Miss Mary's pink shoes are a wonderful example of a success.
I bought a white, cotton sweater with an open back from club Monaco. I spent too much money on it, but I loved it. I wore it 2x....it's still hanging there, shaming me.

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

carter

Veteran

Fun question! I have two that happened right around the same time (Fall 2013) after joining YLF.

First up was a pair of Paige skinnies. I know skinnies had been "in" for quite some time, but this was my first pair. It seems like they were around $150, which was at least 3 times the most I had ever spent on jeans before. I have worn them a ton, bringing CPW down to no more than a couple dollars.

The other purchase was my first-ever pair of knee-high boots! Although I found them in a consignment store, they were pricey. They're chocolate brown (to bookend my hair), Italian made, incredibly soft leather and suede. I've worn them a ton as well. Still going strong.

Here's a WIW pic from November 15, 2013 in which I'm wearing both items.

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columbine(erin)

Veteran

I bought a dark purple long wool coat for $180 from Macy's. I love it and have worn it so many times over the last two years that the CPW is getting low I'm sure. There was a discussion around that time I think about non black coats for winter. I'm glad that influenced me.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

This leather top, no regrets, except it's getting loose on me and I will be sad if I can't wear it anymore.

Classiques Entier ® 'Lamb Moss' Laser Cut Leather Shell

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Define "too much money."

In all seriousness, I've been here for a while (since 2010, I think?). And when I joined, my budget was teeny tiny. "Too much" money was almost any money. I am having a tough time remembering purchases; I bought a lot on consignment or via thrift or discount store in that first year as I experimented with my style. Nothing in itself was an expensive mistake, but very few (if any) items from that time remain in my closet now.

And the expensive YLF approved purchases I've made since do not feel like "too much" money -- both because I had a better budget at the time I made them, AND because I wear them enough (or love them enough) that I don't feel they were mistaken.

The first really pricey item I bought (pricey for me) was a pair of Stuart Weitzman black chelsea boots, on sale. I wear them constantly. CPW three years on is probably less than a dollar.

Glory

Veteran

That is a hard question. I read long before I joined. And, I tend to buy very small priced items because I am worried about mistakes.
I think the first purchase that really stands out for me was a pink winter jacket. I still wear it 3 years in and love that pop of colour in the very long and cold winter. Before YLF I do not think I would ever consider the bright colour.

rachylou

Veteran

I was raised spendy, so I don't think my answer would count. And actually, I've improved my success with Ross tremendously. But the most expensive thing I've bought since I've been here may have been some black Prada pumps. Don't wear them often because they're pumps, but they're beautiful I have to say. And when the need is there, they're dead on.

Olivegreen

I read but did not join till recently, when it seemed like I needed to take action after age reshaped the body. After joining, white jeans and shorts, white sandals, navy shoes. All workhorses. Wearing the whiteout look today.
Also because of YLF, colourblock knapsack, and, thank you Deborah, some avant garde additions to the black capsule.
Not a single expensive mistake.

Peri

Veteran

I don't remember the first thing because I needed so much and bought a lot around that time. And not very many mistakes...I still wear most of it.

The first spendy-for-me thing was a Joie asymmetrical hem tunic that I really loved...and still do. It shocked me at the time, but I am glad I have it. And the most spendy thing recently has been my new EF pants, the winner of the great pants ordering project. Totally worth it since I know how few options there really were for me.

I do think YLF has taught me this...certain things are worth the splurge and others are not. And that definition will be different for each of us.

Anonymous

I just spent a lot of money on a leather jacket. I'll be using it to elevate my standard t-shirt and jeans look. Hopefully the style is classic enough that I will want to wear it for a long long long long long long long long long long time.

Anonymous

I'm a spender from way back - so YLF didn't exactly introduce me to the concept of spending money . But the first expensive thing I bought that likely only crossed my radar because of YLF (and I then became obsessed with) was a black leather R Minkoff backpack. Super expensive and an epic fail on my part. I rarely if ever use it - and have to force myself to trot it out once in a blue moon. Fashion backpacks are, I've decided, a dumb idea. Everything falls into the middle, it requires taking off or unshouldering the whole thing to get into, it doesn't stay on my shoulder , and I've lost more things out of the side pockets (new hand cream , new lipstick, money) than I care to remember. Sorry to be a downer, that damn thing hangs in my office everyday staring at me

Anonymous

Oh, I wish I could remember. I can't. That must mean it was a success.

I have had great success since having found YLF. I tried a lot of Angie's picks. Some went back, but others became major successes. I am actually pruning some of those "successes" because they are starting to show their wear. It seems time to upgrade.

donnat

Veteran

Carter, thats a great picture. Those skinnies were a good investment

Columbine and Glory, a purple coat and a pink coat, good idea in our long dark winters

Smittie, I think you did the right thing, you will probably get lots of wear out of a leather jacket
Suz, I have seen those boots, on you lots.
Peri, I may lemming those pants, I read your pant project
Rachie lou, I don't think I hav ed seen those pumps, but would like to
Lisa, you are hilarious, I was debating getting a back pack purse, I won't now..
Olive green, and Sterling good work

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

A few items that were fails but I can't think of one that was particularly expensive - a linen blazer (probably around $80) that I think I wore 2 times is one that comes to mind. And a really nice cross body bag that just ended up being too deep and not comfortable (I've decided I need convertible satchels so when my shoulder gets tired I can just hold the handles).

Sal

Veteran

My first real success story was a black tee from NZ brand Moochi. It cost $169 which is a lot for a tee, but it has been so useful. It was a case of investing in something that linked some of my disparate pieces together. I love wearing it.

At a similar time I bought two jackets, both cropped. One is very bright pink and I debated the colour, but it has become a real workhorse and livens up black, denim, grey for about 10 months of the year! It works with a variety of footwear and my two main handbags.

The white jacket which on paper should go with a bit more, has been worn less. It is a spring and summer topper that was bought to go over lightweight tops....I did not have the right footwear nor handbag for it in the most part, and my most worn sunglasses are gold aviators and the white jacket had lots of silver zips. I did buy some black sunnies to fix that part and next summer I will look for sandals with white in them, or possibly dye the jacket to blend with more pieces. The lesson here is to think of the whole outfit from shoes to handbag to sunglasses.

celia

Veteran

Of course too much is very relative but the first item that was totally uncalled for my then lifestyle and the price let me gasping for air was the B44 dress in red.
I still have the dress and will happily wear it at the next opportunity. No regrets.

Staysfit

Veteran

Tough question, very tough. I think it's a pair of Pedro Garcia rose gold Swarovski crystal flat sandals that were ridiculously expensive. I will need to wear them every day for over two years to make the CPW come close to what is even maybe reasonable, and our summers aren't very long so I'm hoping these shoes last and stay in style forever!!! It's funny that I'm not picking the Feragamo 50th Birthday purse, which was much more pricey than the shoes, but for whatever reason, I get a lot of wear out of my purses and don't worry about CPW with them. I still love it by the way!

Salvatore Ferragamo 'Fiamma' Perforated Leather Dome Satchel

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annabelle

Veteran

These shoes are gorgeous, and I was seeking a citron infusion late Winter. It was a near miss in spending more than I was comfortable with, because they didn't fit. They were soooo pretty, and I wanted to keep them on my desk as an art item. And ended up sending them back (That CPW would have been literally infinite...)

MARCO Venezia Pump

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Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've been on YLF 4+ years and I don't remember, anymore, any particular items that were my first good choices. I think that for me it was more about getting rid of things that were dated or never fit or suited me in the first place, than buying new things. In a lot of ways I've gone more minimal and simpler the longer I've been here.

I have started buying more expensive shoes, but that's mostly because I'm getting old and I don't want to be in pain anymore.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Lisa, I think I need your fashion backpack. I LOVE my cheapo Zara version. I have to force myself to use any other bags!

It depends on the size, of course. It has to be big enough to fit my computer.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I fell in love with Angie's NAS pick of Anyi Lu Melanie booties a few years ago and spent more than I had before or since on a single pair of shoes to buy them. Major success, I wore them all the time the following year - including 5 weeks when we were in New York and they were one of two pairs of shoes. They were the first and only "high" (2.5 inch) heel that I could walk in for hours.

AJ

Veteran

During my 4th year on the forum, I found the courage to spend double what I normally set aside for shoes and buy the black suede version of the Sam Edelman Petty booties. I wear them a lot during my brief F/W season. They are still going strong. So glad I listened to all the many great reviews here!

Runcarla

Veteran

2 years in and still struggling with loosening the purse strings. I'm a Winners and Marshall's die-hard. Since joining YLF, I am proud that I have forked over for good foundation garments including some spendy Chantelle bras.

The cognac leather moto from Danier was a splurge. It is my first EVER leather jacket and I feel fab every time I wear it. Gets worn lots! I don't know that I would have pulled the trigger on the Le Pliage without the endorsement of fabbers. No regrets there, and even the buying experience (at Betty Henley's in Toronto) was memorable

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MsMary

Veteran

This is such a fun thread! As I posted in today's WIW, my first and best big purchase was my pink Kate Spade pumps, which I still wear and love after four years. I also switched to expensive bras, which have made a world of difference.

Off the top of my head I can't think of any particularly pricey item that was a miss, but over the past few years I have spent a ton of money on fashion and have definitely made my share of mistakes. It was only after I got involved in a whole-house remodeling project that the clothes shopping slowed way down, and mercifully it is still much more restrained even though the house project is over. But I definitely am willing to spend way more per item these days than I was pre-YLF.

donnat

Veteran

Carla, that jacket looks terrific on you, I am a Marshalls shopper as well.
Staysfit, you are a true bag lady?
I am enjoying these responses.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

This is a great thread, and it's fun to go waaaay back to my early days on YLF.
I was never especially chincy with clothes, but all of my most expensive purchases have definitely been YLF inspired. I think of three particularly notable ones, and they were all home runs.
My black Kooba shoulder bag is only now starting to show its age after years of near daily use.
My red wool winter coat is still the single most perfect piece of outerwear I've ever owned
My pewter low-heeled Ferragamo pumps gave me heart palpatations with their price at first, but they've become absolutely crucial three-season shoes for me. At the time I purchased them I remember a forum member saying that they would "get me out the door" time and again, and this has proven to be the case. Any time I can't quite decide what shoes to wear, I don the Ferragamos secure in the knowledge that they'll work no matter what. They've heald up remarkably well too. Whenever they do fall apart, I'll have to replace them.

I also remember my very expensive but hugely rewarding innaugural NAS order. It changed my wardrobe and yielded a couple of pieces that are still going strong, namely my beloved cobalt dress and my brown leather moto.

I've made a couple of other pricy purchases since then, such as my two Coach bags, but these early buys are what come to mind first when I think of YLF success stories. So fun to read about everyone else's!

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